It always feels special when birding adventures take us off the beaten path. This 8-day journey was no exception, as we ventured beyond the usual routes to capture some of Malaysia’s most magnificent birds. The trip was made even more meaningful with the return of familiar companions, Dr. Shen and Teresa. It had been almost a year and a half since we last explored the birding sites near Kuala Lumpur together, and this time we expanded our horizons, covering a variety of habitats in search of more species. Along the way, we also savored the scenery and indulged in local food—a perfect blend of nature, photography, and culture.
Our first morning set the tone for the trip. The wetlands came alive with the soaring silhouettes of herons and storks, their wings cutting gracefully across the morning sky. It was a breathtaking sight to watch them at such close range, offering us plenty of opportunities to capture birds in flight. Some of them were busy gathering nesting materials, their beaks filled with twigs as they flew overhead, a reminder of the season’s rhythm and the persistence of life.
The highlight of the morning, however, came from an unexpected visitor. A Water Monitor Lizard, moving silently but purposefully, crept close to where we were standing. At one point, it seemed almost curious about a bag we had left on the ground—too close for comfort, but thrilling to witness in the wild. It was a reminder that birding isn’t only about birds; it’s about immersing ourselves in the broader web of life that surrounds them.
Over the days that followed, we explored a mosaic of landscapes—lowland forests, wetlands, and open country—each offering its own charm and surprises. Every new site revealed species we had not encountered before, broadening our list while deepening our appreciation for Malaysia’s rich birdlife. From tiny forest dwellers darting among the foliage to majestic raptors circling overhead, the variety was staggering.
But beyond the species count and photographs, the trip was about connection—connection with nature, with friends who share the same passion, and with the places that make birding in Malaysia so rewarding. Good food, shared laughter, and moments of silence broken only by bird calls tied everything together. As the days passed, the sense of discovery never waned, reminding us why birding is as much about the journey as it is about the birds themselves.
Some of the highlights from the trip: Painted Stork, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Pink-backed Pelican (escapee), Black-crowned Night Heron, Asian Openbill, Banded Woodpecker, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Coppersmith Barbet, Common Flameback, Banded Bay Cuckoo, Large-tailed Nightjar, Barred Eagle Owl, Blue-winged Pitta, Short-tailed Babbler, Green Iora, Black-and-red Broadbill, Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, Crested Goshawk, Brahminy Kite, Grey-headed Swamphen, Little Cormorant, Plaintive Cuckoo, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Pied Triller, Javan Sparrow, Crimson Sunbird, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Blue Rock Thrush, Copper-throated Sunbird, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Crested Serpent Eagle, Milky Stork, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Spotted Wood Owl, Long-tailed Parakeet, Lineated Barbet, Red-throated Barbet, Hooded Pitta, Green-backed Flycatcher, Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Orange-headed Thrush, Crimson-winged Woodpecker, Rufous Woodpecker, Black-capped Kingfisher, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Gold-whiskered Barbet, Spectacled Bulbul, Scaly-breasted Bulbul, Banded Kingfisher, Large Woodshrike, Tiger Shrike, Fiery Minivet, Jambu Fruit Dove, Chestnut-breasted Malkoha, Violet Cuckoo, Black-and-yellow Broadbill, Blyth’s Broadbill, Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker, Yellow-vented Flowerpecker, Oriental Darter, Black-winged Stilt, Orange-bellied Flowerpecker, Plain Sunbird, Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, Orange-breasted Trogon, Bushy-crested Hornbill, Mountain Peacock-Pheasant, White-rumped Shama, Siberian Blue Robin, Great Hornbill, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Great Myna and others.
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Contact me to make a reservation for a private birding tour with an experienced and licensed tourist guide specialize in birdwatching and photography tours. I have been guiding professionally since 2007 with birders coming from United States, Canada, UK, Finland, Sweden, France, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Ecuador, Greece, South Africa, Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Brunei and others.
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Bird of Year 2024
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